Husking-thimble



V (No Model.)

J. o. STEWART. HUSKING THIMBLB.

10.560,377. f Patented May19,1896.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES OSCAR STEWART, OF DICKENS, IOXVA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 560,377, dated May 19, 1896.

Application filed February 26, 1895. Serial No. 539,829. (No model) T0 all whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, JAMES OscAR STEWART, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dickens, in the county of Clay and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Husking- Thi inble, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of a metal thimble to be worn on the thumbs While husking corn.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide for the thumbs a perfect protection against the wear, lacerations, cracking, dac., caused by the stiff husks, sharp f pointed grains, and other parts of the plant; second, to provide a protector that is durable and easily and quickly put on and taken off, and, third, to arm the thumb with a set of sharp, strongf and unyielding claws to facilitate stripping the ears of the husk. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side view; Fig. 2, a view of the top or upper side, and Fig. 3 a view of the lower or inside.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The thimble, which is the full length of the thumb, is made of metal, of a thickness and quality which will insure sufficient strength and also the necessary amount of spring. It is open at the fore end, also the Whole length of the upper side a. Being open on top enables the wearer to change the size somewhat by straining apart or together to secure the proper t. It also enables it to yield slightly when the narrowed part b is passing the joint of the thumb and to resume its shape when past, the narrow or choked part fitting the hollow between the rst and second joints, giving it a' hold on the thumb which the process of husking will not loosen, yet not so tight as to interfere with the circulation of blood or cause any discomfort to the wearer. The cross-slit c on either side will facilitate the shaping or stamping of thimble and also leave the rear half more free to expand and contract while the thimble is being put on or removed. The upward curvature of the fore end d gives the thumb a natural and easy position, and together with its attened shape prevents it from turning on the thumb. The claws c extend the whole length on the lower side. Those along the middle andy base point towardv the hand and slightly ba'ckward when worn on the left thumb. Those at the fore end point forward and are employed most when the thimble is used on the right thumb. They are made by cutting or punching two sides of a triangular section of the metal loose and bending the points thus liberated outward.

It will be seen by the description that it is a stiff thimble, allowing the thumb to work only at the joint next the hand; but this is found to be rather an advantage than otherwise, as it prevents the cracking of the skin (caused partly by the continual working of the first joint) and when armed with claws grapples the ear just as well as if the joint werefree.

The base of thimble is bent or rolled outward and backward simply to give it a surface that will not irritate the skin.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A husking-thimble formed of a piece of metal shaped to conform to the shape of and extending substantially the full length of the thumb, being open at the top and having a rolled edge at the base and provided with longitudinal slits and cross-slits and having claws or projections on its outer surface, all substantially as shown and described.

JAMES OSCAR STEVART.

- Witnesses:

H. Il. NoLEN, OHAs. F. HAMILTON. 

